Digestive Disease Center

Ochsner offers patients a multidisciplinary approach to all aspects of care. Our fellowship-trained medical and surgical specialists work with a range of other specialists every step of the way to ensure patients receive truly comprehensive care. Our team includes:

• Dietitians

• Gastroenterologists

• GI pathologists and cytopathologists

• GI psychologist

• GI surgeons

• Nurses

• Nurse practitioners

• Pharmacists

• Radiologists

• Technicians

All our staff, not just the physicians, have special training in gastroenterology. This means patients can rest assured that their team truly understands their care from diagnosis to treatment.

The Ochsner Digestive Disease Center is located at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. In addition to offering in-person appointments for diagnosis and treatment, we offer virtual visits for established patients. We also provide telemedicine options for diagnostic second opinions.

U.S. News & World Report has named Ochsner Medical Center the Best Hospital in Louisiana for more than a decade for a reason. Our gastroenterology and GI surgery program is ranked in the top 10% in the nation, and our colon cancer surgery program has been designated as “High Ranking.” Ochsner was also named a Best Hospital for Gastroenterology and Elite Choice by the WebMD Choice Awards, which designates “best in class” health systems based on patient and provider feedback.

The Ochsner Digestive Disease Center is designed to offer specialized gastrointestinal care for acute and chronic digestive diseases. Although we work with Ochsner GI generalists, both at Ochsner Medical Center and at other Ochsner locations, our care teams excel in diagnosing, treating and managing GI problems that affect three parts of the digestive tract: the esophagus, the pancreas, and the small and large intestines. Our program specialties include:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program, offering specialized care for both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, along with microscopic colitis and related inflammatory conditions of the GI tract

• Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders Program, providing advanced treatment for complex swallowing disorders and esophageal issues

• Pancreas and Biliary Disease Program, specializing in the care of a wide range of common and rare conditions that affect the pancreas and bile ducts

Gastroenterology is a medical specialty that treats the entire digestive system, from when you swallow food in your esophagus to when you excrete waste through your rectum. Common digestive disorders that affect your GI tract include constipation, heartburn and hemorrhoids. If your digestive disease requires intensive treatment or if a traditional gastroenterologist has trouble diagnosing the source of your problem, you may be referred to the Ochsner Digestive Disease Center. We specialize in treating conditions such as:

• Achalasia — a nerve problem in the esophagus

• Anal cancer

• Barrett’s esophagus — damage to the esophagus lining that is usually caused by long-term reflux

• Celiac disease — an autoimmune condition caused by an allergy to gluten

• Cholecystitis — an inflammation of the gallbladder

• Cholangitis — bile ducts blockage that is the result of bacteria

• Clostridium difficile infection (also called C. diff or CDI) — a bacterial infection in the colon

• Colorectal cancer

• Distal esophagitis — inflammation in the esophageal lining in the lower esophageal sphincter

• Diverticulitis — a type of inflammation of small sacs in the intestine

• Esophageal cancer

• Esophageal strictures — a narrowing of the esophagus

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a severe form of heartburn

• Hiatal or inguinal hernia — a bulging through the diaphragm or the abdominal wall

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — a collection of symptoms with no visible damage to your GI tract

• Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas

• Pancreatic cancer

• Peptic ulcers — a sore in the intestine or stomach lining

• Small bowel disease

Many Digestive Disorder Center patients arrive with a diagnosis already in hand, but others may be suffering from a combination of symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal pain

• Bloating

• Bloody stools, with either bright red blood or dried black blood

• Chronic constipation

• Diarrhea

• Indigestion that does not get better with treatment

• Intestinal bleeding

• Problems swallowing

• Straining during bowel movements or other problems going

• Unexplained weight loss

• Vomiting or nausea

It is important to tell your physician about every symptom you are experiencing, even if you feel awkward discussing them. Our doctors have decades of experience and will not be surprised or embarrassed by anything you share.

At Ochsner, we utilize the latest endoscopic, surgical and robotic technology for both diagnosis and treatment. We will work with you to examine your family history, assess your digestive disorder and design a program of care. Your diagnosis or treatment may involve one or more of the following procedures:

• Colonoscopy

• Colorectal surgery, including colon resections

• Deep enteroscopy (double-balloon endoscopy) — an advanced type of endoscopy that reaches the small intestines

• Dietary and nutrition services

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography — a minimally invasive procedure often used to treat issues with the bile duct or pancreas

• Endoscopic submucosal dissection — a minimally invasive surgical treatment for gastrointestinal cancer

• Endoscopic ultrasound

• Endoscopy

• Gastroenterological cancer oncology — including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation

• Interventional endoscopic ultrasound — minimally invasive imaging technology used to perform a variety of procedures, including punctures that allow for drainage, punctures that allow for medication or other materials to be placed in the area, and ablation (using cold energy, heat or chemicals to destroy cancerous or precancerous cells)

• Fecal transplant

• Medication

• Minimally invasive and robotic surgery

• Peroral endoscopic myotomy — a minimally invasive procedure that treats certain esophageal disorders

• Polypectomy — minimally invasive polyp removal

The Digestive Disease Center also offers many patients enrollment in advanced clinical trials, which provides access to leading-edge treatments and therapies.